​The long term care community expressed optimism that the new interim administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Marilyn Tavenner, will be a leader they can work with on issues vital to the industry.

President Obama nominated Tavenner, formerly chief operating officer and principal deputy administrator of CMS, to become administrator of the agency after Donald Berwick, MD, resigned effective Dec. 2.

Berwick was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate because a block of Republican senators questioned his credentials and past statements in support of the British-style health care system, eliminating his chances to ever move beyond his temporary administrator status. He was named to the position by the president in a recess appointment in July 2010. As a recess appointee, his term was set to expire in January unless he could be confirmed.

Gov. Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), sees the Tavenner appointment as an opportunity to extend a positive relationship with CMS leadership.

“AHCA/NCAL has enjoyed a constructive, positive relationship with Administrator Berwick, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful dialogue with Interim Director Tavenner. Marilyn Tavenner shares our commitment for the elderly, and I look forward to working in stronger partnership with her in the future,” Parkinson said.

Tavenner served as acting administrator of CMS from February to July 2010 and prior to coming to CMS served as Virginia’s secretary of Health and Human Resources. She worked for 25 years at Hospital Corp. of America before moving to public service.

Leaders in the Washington health care community expect Tavenner to continue with the agenda set by Berwick, noting her understanding of the CMS organization and politics that come
with the administrator’s role.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, Marilyn is very insightful about long term and post-acute care and will move the agenda forward nicely for providers,” says Dan Mendelson, chief executive officer of Avalere Health, a Washington, D.C., consultancy. 

“The Innovations Center will continue to experiment with bundling and other ways to [give providers incentive] to better integrate care, reduce rehospitalizations, and meet quality objectives.

“Marilyn also understands the organizational and political imperatives that CMS faces and will be able to handle these areas well. I don’t expect Don’s departure to impede progress in any of these areas.”

The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care also praised the Tavenner nomination, noting her experience in working with skilled nursing facility providers while in Virginia. “We encourage the Senate Finance Committee to expeditiously consider Ms. Tavenner’s nomination upon submission,” the alliance said.